Configuration
& CLI

OpenClaw CLI Commands: The Definitive Reference for Builders

Every OpenClaw CLI command documented — flags, arguments, examples, and the combinations power users actually rely on day to day.

OpenClaw Onboard Command: Start Your First Agent in Minutes

The onboard command does more than it looks — what it sets up, what defaults you should change immediately, and what it leaves for you to configure.

OpenClaw Doctor Command: Fix Every Setup Error Instantly

Run openclaw doctor before anything else — what each check means, how to interpret failures, and the fix for each common error code.

OpenClaw Config Set: The Command That Changes Everything

Every config key you can set with openclaw config set — model, gateway URL, log level, timeout, and the lesser-known options that matter.

OpenClaw Cron Add: Automate Anything on a Schedule [Setup]

Schedule OpenClaw tasks with cron syntax — daily reports, automated searches, recurring agent runs, and how to view and manage all active crons.

OpenClaw Logs Command: Debug Faster With This Pro Workflow

Stream, filter, and search OpenClaw logs from the CLI — the flags that matter, log levels explained, and how to pipe output to other tools.

OpenClaw TUI: Master the Terminal Interface in Under 5 Minutes

The TUI is faster than the web dashboard for most tasks — keyboard shortcuts, navigation, and the panels power users check first.

OpenClaw Update: Why You're Probably Running the Wrong Version

How to update OpenClaw safely, check your current version, handle breaking changes between releases, and pin to a specific version if needed.

OpenClaw Gateway Token: Secure Your Agent Network the Right Way

Generate, rotate, and scope gateway tokens — the authentication layer that controls which devices can connect to your OpenClaw instance.

OpenClaw Gateway as a systemd Service: The Always-On Setup

Run the OpenClaw gateway as a persistent systemd service — service file, auto-restart on failure, logging, and enable on boot.

OpenClaw Hooks: Build Event-Driven Automations That Scale

Trigger external actions on agent events — webhooks, custom scripts, and the hook lifecycle that lets you connect OpenClaw to anything.

OpenClaw Browser Relay: The Gateway Feature Nobody Talks About

The browser relay lets agents interact with websites without Playwright — how it works, when to use it, and how to configure it correctly.

OpenClaw Mission Control: Command Every Agent From One Place

Mission Control is the web UI for managing all connected agents, channels, and jobs — what each panel shows and how to use it efficiently.

OpenClaw Config File: The Settings Top Builders Get Right First

The complete openclaw.config.json reference — every key, its default value, what it controls, and the settings that matter most in production.

OpenClaw soul.md: The Hidden File That Shapes Every Agent

soul.md defines your agent's personality, boundaries, and voice. What to put in it, what to avoid, and why most builders get it wrong the first time.

OpenClaw identity.md: Define Who Your Agent Is [Full Guide]

identity.md vs soul.md — what each file controls, how they interact, and the exact structure that gives your agent a consistent, reliable persona.

OpenClaw bootstrap.md: The Startup File That Controls Your Stack

bootstrap.md runs every time your agent starts — how to use it for skill loading, API key checks, and environment validation before any task runs.

OpenClaw Environment Variables: The Setup Mistakes to Avoid

Which env vars OpenClaw reads, how to set them safely across different OS environments, and the precedence rules when config file and env var conflict.

OpenClaw MCP: The Definitive Guide to Model Context Protocol

MCP is the standard for connecting tools to AI agents — what it is, how OpenClaw implements it, and how to add any MCP server to your stack.

OpenClaw + Brave Search API: Steal This Free Search Setup

Brave's Search API gives your agents live web access with privacy-preserving results — API key setup, MCP config, and usage limits explained.

OpenClaw + Tavily: The AI Search Integration That Just Works

Tavily is built for AI agents — setup guide, result quality comparison to Brave and DuckDuckGo, and when to use it over other search options.

OpenClaw + SearXNG: Run Private Search With Zero API Costs

Self-host SearXNG for completely private, zero-cost search in your OpenClaw agents — Docker setup, MCP connector config, and result tuning.

OpenClaw + Firecrawl: Supercharge Your Agent's Web Research

Firecrawl converts any webpage into clean markdown for your agents — setup, rate limits, and the workflow that makes deep research actually reliable.

OpenClaw Troubleshooting: Fix Every Common Error in Minutes

The master troubleshooting guide — symptoms mapped to causes and fixes. Start here before searching GitHub issues or asking in the community.

OpenClaw Gateway Pairing Required Error: Here's Why It Happens

The "gateway pairing required" error is the most common new-user blocker — the three causes and which fix applies to your setup.

OpenClaw Gateway Disconnected: 5 Fixes That Actually Work

Gateway keeps dropping? Here are the five most common causes — NAT issues, token expiry, network timeouts — and the exact fix for each.

OpenClaw NPM Install Error: The Exact Fix Most Guides Miss

EACCES, ENOENT, peer dep conflicts — the most common npm install errors when setting up OpenClaw and the precise commands to resolve each.

OpenClaw Command Not Found: Why It Happens and How to Fix It

The "openclaw: command not found" error after a successful install — PATH issues, global install location, and the one-line fix that works every time.